Kremlin warns Lithuania over potential nuclear deployment

On September 11, 2026, the Kremlin issued a formal warning to Lithuania regarding its potential decision to host nuclear weapons from allied arsenals. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in an interview with Russian state television that if foreign nuclear warheads are installed on Lithuanian territory, the country will effectively be placed within the target range of Russia's own nuclear weapons. Peskov characterized this potential development as a significant turning point in the escalation of regional tensions.

Lithuania is currently in the process of amending its constitution to lift a long-standing ban on the storage of nuclear weapons on its soil. Vilnius justifies this policy shift as a necessary security measure following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The constitutional amendment is under review by the Lithuanian Parliament, where it requires a two-thirds majority for approval. The initiative currently holds the backing of the Lithuanian president and major political parties, potentially allowing it to come into effect in the near future.